The entire month of March is designated as Brain Injury Awareness Month to help the public understand the causes, effects, and treatment options for anyone suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) started this campaign in 1984 and continues to improve the quality of life for those who are suffering from a TBI. In honor of Brain Injury Awareness Month, we took a look at some of the most common causes of a TBI, what to do if you or a loved one is suffering from a TBI, and what to look for if you think someone you love may have a TBI.
How Do You Identify a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A TBI is an injury that causes swelling in the brain after suffering a blow to the head. In some cases, you may witness the injury and immediately identify the potential for a TBI. However, it is also possible for a TBI to occur without anyone realizing the extent of the injury. There are a few symptoms to look for if you suspect that an individual is suffering from a TBI.
A person suffering from a TBI may exert the following symptoms:
- Difficulty with memory and concentration
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty with balance and/or dizziness
- Heightened reaction to light
- Mood swigs
- Anxiety and/or sadness
- Change in sleep habits
- Appetite Changes
Don’t wait to seek medical attention if you or a loved one is suffering from TBI. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that traumatic brain injuries contribute to about 30% of all injury deaths.
What Causes a Traumatic Brain Injury?
There are many different types of incidents that can cause a traumatic brain injury, but some are a lot more common than others. Here are the most common accidents that result in a TBI:
- Slip and fall is the leading cause of TBI-related injuries.
- Being struck by an object is the 2nd leading cause of TBI-related injuries.
- Car crashes are the third leading cause of TBI-related injuries.
- Sports and recreational activities are the leading cause of TBI-related injuries to children under the age of 19.
How Many People are Affected?
The CDC stated that “an estimated 2.5 million people sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury annually” and the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center reported that “more than 340,000 service members have sustained a TBI since 2000.” Perhaps the most alarming statistic is the number of TBI cases that result from a sport or recreation-related activity. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System released a study and reported that “In 2012, an estimated 329,290 children under the age of 19 were treated in the US for sports and recreational-related injuries to the head.” If you are the parent of a child who participates in sports or other recreational-related activities, you may want to think about having a discussion with them about the importance of protecting their head and body, even though they may not yet understand the impacts of a TBI.
Are you interested in becoming an advocate for the #ChangeYourMind Awareness Campaign?
Visit the Brain Injury Association of America to submit your information: https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/brain-injury-awareness
If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury after a slip and fall, motor vehicle collision, or work injury, contact our attorneys to schedule a free consultation.
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